Blackford County School Board Approves New Math Program, $196,000 Bus, and Furnace Replacement

From the Blackford County School Board meetings on January 6 through March 17, 2026

The school board approved several significant expenditures and actions across its winter and spring meetings.

On March 17, the board voted 5-0 to adopt Vimme Math for grades K-2 at $20 per student per year on a five-year contract. Grades 3-6 already use the program. Teachers found the previous program, i-Ready math, lacking in rigor for the youngest grades. Vimme Math is primarily paper and pencil with periodic online assessments. The cost is covered by per-pupil state funding.

The board also approved a $196,086 Thomas bus purchase through the state co-op, with a 12- to 14-month lead time. The district rotates buses out of front-line service at 14 to 16 years and keeps them as spares until 18 years. Bus prices have roughly doubled in recent years, from about $91,000 to $196,000.

A furnace replacement at $13,925 was approved over a $5,620 repair option for a building dating to approximately 1998. The board chose full replacement, noting that repair would put new parts in an outdated system.

A wind event damaged the pool roof and auxiliary gym roof at the high school. The pool roof, installed in 2022, is under warranty. The board's December decision to spend $15,000 reducing its insurance deductible from $165,000 to $10,000 through a buydown program was praised as "a very wise investment."

In January, Bill Jones was elected board president. Steve Murphy was reappointed as school attorney for his 40th year, with Matt Kelsey transitioning into the role. School board election filing opens May 19, with a new state requirement that candidates declare political affiliation.

Source: YouTube transcripts — Blackford County School Board meetings, Jan 6–Mar 17, 2026